The Silverton Post Office at the corner of 12th and Reese streets Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 23.

It’s not yet official, but regional Postal Service man- ager Murray Johnson said Monday that the Silverton Post Office will almost cer- tainly be operating under reduced hours starting in January.

The new hours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a one-hour closure for lunchtime that is yet to be determined. Saturday hours will remain the same, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Current Monday-Friday hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Another change that has already been implemented is the disappearance of the “Silverton” slot at the post office. All mail — including those to other post office boxes in town — is now sent to Grand Junction for sorting then driven back for next-day delivery.

One exception is Thursday same-day delivery of the Silverton Standard to Silverton post office box holders.